Battleground State Women Voters Want Action on Social Security, Candidate Positions as Crucial Program Has 81st Birthday

Neither Candidate Has Majority of Women Voters

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Aug 17, 2016, 01:00 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a forum on Social Security today, AARP leaders released results of a new poll of likely battleground state women voters age 50 and over who believe candidates have not done enough to tell them about their Social Security plans and also believe that within several years, the next President needs to take action to update the program.

On Sunday, Social Security turned 81, and at today's forum experts discussed differing opinions about the future of Social Security, while AARP shared views expressed by likely women voters in battleground states, including 72% who believe the next president and Congress need to act immediately to update Social Security, and 53% saying they would be impacted if the program is not updated by 2034, when beneficiaries could face a cut of nearly a quarter of their benefits.

"Older women care deeply about the economic security of their kids and grandkids," said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. "The presidential candidates need to lead on Social Security and give voters real answers about how their plans would impact our families."

When asked who they would vote for if the election were held today, the likely battleground state women voters chose Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump 48% to 33%, with the 19% of remaining respondents' undecided or choosing another candidate. Remaining somewhat consistent with candidate preference, but with a majority of voters, Clinton has an edge over Trump in being perceived as a leader who would keep Social Security strong, with 52% of respondents saying Clinton would do a better job, and 34% who think Trump would do a better job.

Additionally, when asked if they had heard about the candidates' Social Security plans, survey respondents indicated the vast majority had not, with just 34% hearing about Clinton's plan, and 20% hearing about Trump's plan.

AARP's Take A Stand is a national campaign focused on elevating the importance of taking steps now to keep Social Security strong and adequate for future generations. Among other program elements, AARP Take A Stand volunteers across the country are attending campaign events by 2016 Presidential candidates and asking them for their plans for Social Security.

This survey of 1500 likely women voters age 50+ for the 2016 general election was conducted via landline and cellphone from August 1 through August 7, 2016, by Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint for AARP. The survey reached across 15 key battleground states (AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NM, NV, OH, PA, VA, and WI). The margin of error is +/- 2.5%.

SOURCE AARP Illinois